Berbice businesses talk local content

As stakeholder engagements on Guyana’s draft Local Content Policy Framework continue around the South American country, members of the Chambers of Commerce of Berbice got an opportunity to voice their concerns to author of the document, Trinidadian consultant Anthony Paul.

The businessmen from Regions 5 and 6 had their chance during Monday’s engagement held in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Paul started his presentation by providing a summary of what the draft Local Content Policy Framework entailed and what it was meant to achieve.

Further, he outlined a number of steps needed for Guyanese to build the necessary capacity to contribute meaningfully to the value chain.

The Trinidadian consultant offered an explanation of what needs to be done by local companies to get themselves ready to be able to support the oil and gas sector.

During the question and answer period, members of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association were interested in finding out what was in the pipeline for their community. They insisted that the skills and capacity to engage in many of the needed support services reside in the Berbice regions and therefore they want a chance at competing.

Members of the Chambers said that they make steady visits to Georgetown to attend workshops and meetings with their urban counterparts but lamented what they termed as the neglect of the persons in the regions with regard to employment and training activities.

The nationwide discussion on Guyana’s draft Local Content Policy Framework continues with visits to Linden, the Essequibo region and other locations. The engagements are expected to conclude shortly and a wrap-up event is scheduled for Friday, September 15, at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Georgetown.